How to Make Homemade Sunscreen (SPF 30-40 and good for your skin!)

On my quest to use all natural cosmetic products, I knew that sunscreen was going to be a necessary product to make. My skin often gets itchy just from using the store-bought kinds, and it leaves me feeling icky. Not to mention, it is usually polluting a water body. You also want to be on the lookout for the endocrine disruptor, oxybenzone, used in many store bought sunscreens.

Anyways, a few weeks ago I spent all afternoon in the park with my boyfriend and his family. It wasn’t a very hot or super sunny day but I didn’t have any sunscreen on because I hadn’t made any yet. Someone brought out a bottle when we noticed we were getting a little toasty. I read the ingredients label and it had so many bad ingredients that I opted not to use it. Well, sunscreen is tricky isn’t it? Because I ended up with a mild sunburn. So- the choice is- run the risk of skin cancer from the sun, or the list or risks that come from ingredients in harmful cosmetics? It’s definitely a trade off.

Well- there’s no need to decide! Just make your own- it is natural, good for your skin, and it won’t harm your body or the environment! Plus- it is mostly waterproof! What’s not to like?

It costs $7.46 to make 6 oz of this sunscreen. For sunscreen- that’s not a bad price at all!

Before I started making my own cosmetics I had no idea that oils could have natural SPF in them. It makes sense when you think about it. This recipe uses both oils and zinc oxide to achieve a higher SPF level. If you want to learn more about natural sun protection- this is a great article.

So if you leave the zinc oxide out- this recipe will naturally have an SPF of about 20 or so. That is my unprofessional estimate based on the oil SPF ratings.

I like to explain why I use each ingredient in my cosmetics:

Coconut Oil: Natural SPF of about 2-8, antibacterial, natural moisturizer, full of antioxidants and nutrients your skin needs (you can get it here)

Instructions

Very carefully add in the zinc oxide, taking care not to breathe any in. You might want to cover your mouth with a cloth if you do not trust yourself to be a careful mixer

Mix slowly and thoroughly until there are no more powdered clumps of zinc oxide

Pour into your desired container and let it return to room temperature

Use as you would any sunscreen of SPF 30-40

*Note: The beeswax and shea butter make the sunscreen thicker- if you want a sunscreen that is easy to squeeze through a bottle you should use the lower amounts, but it may make the sunscreen less waterproof. If waterproof sunscreen is your priority, stick with the larger amounts.

I used this sunscreen on a day at the beach and it passed the test- no sun burn! I wasn’t laying out in the sun- but I was playing in the water and out on a sailboat for several hours. The water didn’t rub it off and I didn’t get burnt. I am a fan. And my skin was moisturized after.

I wouldn’t recommend using this on your face if you are prone to break outs. Don’t worry- I’m not going to leave you high and dry. You can find my recipe for acne-friendly facial sunscreen here.

This looks so good I am going to give it a try. I have just ordered ingredients for this and your face sunscreen also. You mention that you have tried this and no burns, would you consider this to be water resistant? or would you reapply directly after swimming?

It’s water resistant but not waterproof. I’ve swam with it on and waited a while to reapply without getting burnt. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry and reapply after you get in the water. That being said, you can tell if it is still on your skin by how it feels and how to water rolls off.

Beeswax also helps make this waterproof, so you will want to keep that in mind if you change the recipe. You could use soy lecithin or stearic acid instead, but it will be a little less thick. You could also use a different type of wax, like soy wax. I haven’t worked with it personally but it should do the trick.

I just found your recipe and site – can’t wait to read more! I have a question on the recipe…it calls for almond oil. Is there a possible substitute or can that be left out? My son has a nut/tree nut allergy.

I’m a fan of DIY recipes, but sunscreen is one that I will not DIY. Sunscreen producers spend tons of money testing to ensure their products are effective. There’s no way to know if your DIY concoction provides any sun protection at all. There are plenty of store bought options these days that don’t include a ton of unnecessary ingredients but have been extensively tested for efficacy.

This recipe sounds awesome! I am a fair-skinned red-head and wanted to get some feedback from someone who has used it a few times before trying it out on my sensitive skin. I hope the results are good! :)

Hi!!! I was dying to try this recipe and I did make it this morning. Can’t wait to try it later today that the sun is finally out!! One question though, I used the 2 tbsp of zinc and I found it kept settling to the bottom when in container waiting to solidify. i kept mixing and shaking the container to make sure it is properly distributed. Did you have the same issue?

Does putting the carrot seed oil in the mixture while it is hot destroy the therapeutic qualities of the oil (like the SPF)? I know we aren’t supposed to let the oils get hot or boil them or anything? Thanks!

That is why you add any essential oils after the mixture has been removed from heat. If this really concerns you you can dd the essential oils after the mixture has cooled completely but I don’t know how well it will mix when more solidified.

SPF with zinc oxide can be determined by the percentage of the overall lotion. I’m linking to a chart for you that you can use to determine SPF based on percentage. If you add a lot of zinc oxide, the sunscreen may feel gritty and will not rub in well. I believe SPF 20-25 would be a good estimation without the essential oils in this recipe.

The only problem I have found with non nano zinc oxide is that the smell is so strong, no matter how many drop of nice aromatic essential oil you use. my next batch will have 2 tsp instead of tbsp. of zinc oxide.

The body sunscreen has a few ingredients that are considered comedogenic, meaning they have a high likelihood to clog pores. Coconut oil in particular is highly comedogenic. But it depends on people’s skin- some people are okay putting coconut oil on their skin without breaking out. So I can’t guarantee the facial sunscreen won’t make you break out, but I designed it with non-comedogenic ingredients only, whereas the body sunscreen has some comedogenic ingredients.

You can certainly sub coconut oil with a different oil, just keep in mind that it may get a thinner texture. You can definitely use the facial sunscreen as an all over sunscreen- I only call it facial sunscreen because it is designed to not cause breakouts, but you could use it anywhere.

I’ve heard people complain of thick pastes that are difficult to spread and leave skin looking white with similar recipes. Does this recipe do that? And is this more of a sunblock (skin doesn’t tan) or a sunscreen (skin can tan)?

I haven’t found it to be that way, but you can decrease the beeswax if you want it to easier to spread in. It isn’t as easy as a spray on sunscreen or anything like that, and if you use too much it won’t absorb and will make the skin look white. But if you’re using it correctly there shouldn’t be any problem. I don’t know the difference between a sunblock or sunscreen- zinc oxide blocks both UVA and UVB rays. If you decrease the amount of zinc oxide you’ll get a lower SPF so your skin might be able to get a little color, or it could burn if you’re pale like me. If you don’t want skin to tan at all you just need to apply regularly.

Hi. Does this have a smell? I have been trying to find a fragrant free sunscreen as I have to wear it all the time since I had melanoma. I was thinking of making my own, but want something that doesn’t smell so I can wear it anytime.

Hi Susie, I will be making your sunscreen within the next few days. I’ve read many times Olive Oil can be used… Is this a spacific olive oil… Can olive oil from Costco be used, regular everyday olive oil from a market? When I think of olive oil I automatically think of the olive oil I use to cook with. And the avacado oil, I’ve never heard of it until recently. Excited about this. Thank You

Yes! Regular olive oil works fine. I like to use one that is organic and cold pressed, but whatever you have in your kitchen should work. You’d be surprised how many things in your kitchen you can use to make natural beauty products!

I seen a bug repellent lotion that had a lot of similar ingredients and was wondering if I could add essential oils with bug repellent properties to your recipe or would it mess up the sunscreen? Would it be able to be used as double sunscreen and bug spray?

I have no idea if zinc oxide paste would work. I’ve never worked with it or seen it, so I don’t know how it would combine with the other ingredients. Zinc oxide is pretty easy to find online, so I would stick with the original recipe if possible.

I made this last summer (2016). I loved it! Yes, a bit think. But I burn so easily, I needed it. I used Zinc Oxide paste (from an all natural diaper cream) and it worked great.
I’ve kept it in the fridge since the end of summer. Do you think it will still be good now?

I would err on the side of caution and guess not, as my official advice. But if it were me, I would try using it at a time I would normally get a slight burn and see if it is still effective. I wouldn’t try it when you’re going to the beach on a sunny day, but just a small test to see if it’s still good.

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